Ecophysiological determinants of sexual size dimorphism: integrating growth trajectories, environmental conditions, and metabolic rates

摘要: Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) often results in dramatic differences body between females and males. Despite its ecological importance, little is known about the relationship developmental, physiological, energetic mechanisms underlying SSD. We take an integrative approach to understand developmental trajectories, metabolism, environmental conditions resulting extreme female-biased SSD crab spider Mecaphesa celer (Thomisidae). tested for sexual growth as well energetics of growth, hypothesizing that female M. have lower metabolic rates than males or higher energy assimilation. also hypothesized environment which spiderlings develop influences degree a population. tracked resting male throughout their ontogeny quantified adult individuals raised combination two diet temperature treatments. show celer’s from shape trajectories. While did not differ, diet, temperature, interaction influenced through interactive effect with sex, being more sensitive demonstrate curve important but overlooked determinant may achieve larger sizes high food ingestion low activity levels. Our highlight need new models based on ontogeny, ecology, behavior.